Buy TicketsBy Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman
Hot List Key:
A : A preferred horse to watch B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches in the final 3 minutes and finished 1st through 3rd
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4th or worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.
2nd race – (6) Goldentown had traffic issues when he closed fast to finish third in his first turf start. Makes amends here. (10) Don Corleone has speed and should be the boss on the front end. (9) Beer Run will welcome the shorter distance. (11) Cowboy Cache might like turf. Betting strategy: 6 to win, place. Exacta box: 6-9-10-11. Doubles: 6-9-10-11 with 1-2-4-7.
3rd race – (1) Wupkar takes a big class drop and should prevail from the rail. (7) La Tourista will welcome a return to dirt. (2) Atlantic Strike might wake up in this spot. (4) Abitibi has speed and may hang on until the end.. Betting strategy: 1 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-2-4-7.
5th race – (3) Freedom’s Way in is top form and gets the nod in a tight field. (10) Greek Order deserves a long look in his U.S. debut. (1) Escape Artist is prepping nicely for his first start since September stakes try. (9) Dude N Colorado makes his first start for Maker and will be a threat here. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-9-10.
8th race – (3) Dreamlike makes his 2024 debut after closing last year with back-to-back starts in Grade 1 stakes. (10) Cagliostro is another stakes runner making his 2024 debut and merits attention. (5) Game Warden should pose a late threat. (6) Brigade Commander could be tough to catch here. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 3-5-6-10. Doubles: 3-5-6-10 with 1-3-4-6.
9th race – The Baird Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) – (3) Scyllas missed by a neck after a long layoff and seems ready for her stakes debut. (1) Raging Sea will benefit from a rail trip. (4) Loved could be a force on the front end. (6) Hidden Connection can be a factor on her best try. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-6.